Own-Root Roses in Southern Wisconsin: Worth the Investment?

Own-Root vs. Grafted: The Truth

Own-root roses (grown from cuttings, not grafted) are not a waste of money. They avoid rootstock suckers and can be more cold-hardy because the crown is the variety itself.

Keys to Success

• Buy potted own-root plants (e.g., from Heritage Roses) for established roots.
• Prune hard annually—small shoots result from insufficient pruning, not own-root status.
• 'Peace' has proven tougher than 'Voodoo' in many gardens.

Resources

Old Garden Rose forums on GardenWeb and ARS Consulting Rosarians (free help) are excellent for variety selection in Zone 5.